Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Above the living roaming the earth and below the burning stars that shine bright was a place where only the angels knew and the humans only purely whisper about.

Heaven's Realm.

A fantasy told in children’s books. A universe fabricated by Hollywood. An old myth that circled folk towns for centuries.

It is a place where the angels answer prayers, and the good of the deceased are sent to rest.

The water is crystal blue, the air smells of fresh floral citrus, and the sun beats bright during the hours of the day. Each building is carved of pristine white stone, with columns tall and wide, and arches curved and fitting.

Many different angels dwell in Heaven’s Realm. From demise sorters to prayer messengers, from the Heaven Officials to the soul collectors. There are even angels that fluff the clouds that settle on the sea of blue sky and angel’s that weave yarns of gold into laurel wreaths that are bestowed on those angels at birth.

Of course, from what you’ve heard in the stories, all angel’s are beautiful. And these angels are nothing short of heavenly beauty. Blessed with ethereal features, lustrous bright eyes, marble smooth skin and an enchanting aura. One would be weak at the knees at the sight of one of these beings. You would do anything, be anything, just to lay your eyes on such a sight if only for a mere minute.

To compliment their looks, an angel at birth is endowed with a name that is granted to them by the Heaven Officials.

Though, there was one name that was rather famous in Heaven’s Realm.

Cherry Blossom.

Cherry Blossom was the head messenger of all the Heaven’s prayers. He was also the most beautiful angel there ever was. His long silky hair that framed his slender face was the vibrant colour of the pink Japanese flower in bloom. His skin was the silk of white rose petals. And his eyes were like the stream of gold in the first rays of dawn.

He was said to be the Official’s favourite, all the angels knew. Many times did the Official’s seek to promote him to a higher position, to be one of them. But he turned the offer down each and every time.

Cherry Blossom enjoyed the freedom and quietness of his role. He was content. Neither bored nor amused. Neither elated nor sad.

He was, what the human’s below often said, was just fine.

Until one day, something happened. A rare affair that not even the Official’s have not ever heard of...

“…Please let me be accepted into Harvard. It's the college of my dreams, you don't understand. If I don’t go... my parents will never let me inherit their family business and I will... I-I will never make them proud…”

Cherry laid on his side, his arm in a crook, head propped on his hand on the white stone bench beside the messenger fountain. It was, by far, his favourite spot in Heaven’s Realm. 

Circling the carved stone messenger well was an enchanting garden. With luminous green vines hanging from the marble arches above, and vast towering trees which we’re always in bloom. The flowers, we’re rainbow freckles to embellish the greenery. And the trickling water of a nearby fountain could be heard. It was a place of sanctuary for Cherry.

And being the head messenger, only those who dared disturb him came by.

“Yet another American college acceptance prayer... it must be approaching Spring” Cherry sighed, twiddling with a strand of his silk sakura hair.

He rose from his laying position elegantly to reach the messenger well to find the prayer that he touched just moments ago. Stepping up on the marble platform, Cherry reached for the glowing white prayer orb of the American college girl floating above the well water. 

Pinching the cool outer mist of the orb with his delicate fingers, he dropped it in the dark empty hole to the right, to be nothing but long forgotten. This was how prayers we’re dismissed. 

Although this may seem like an unpleasant job, Cherry Blossom was by no means a hateful angel. He was just very experienced in his field and knew exactly what prayers to look for. Naturally, you could not have every prayer granted. Otherwise, the world below would be too perfect.

Cherry dipped his fingers back into the well and picked out another prayer orb floating around in the water to listen to. The light emitting from the orb was beaming bright, which means it was very new. Putting the orb into position above the water, Cherry made his way back over to his lying position on the bench before the human spoke.

“Heaven? Angels? I don’t even know who I’m speaking to here. I feel so dumb doing this I swear I'm going to kill Ami" The man sighed "Wait, no, not literally! Shit, I'm definitely doing this all wrong. It just feels like I’m talking to a brick wall” the man chuckled awkwardly.

Cherry immediately sat up from his comfortable laying position and darted his golden irises towards the luminesce orb floating above the well. When a human speaks their prayer, the milky core of the orb glows brighter, pulsating in time of the human’s voice.

But as he waited until the man proceeded and the orb’s glow to pulse brighter, nothing came.

“What in the heavens is he doing?” Cherry whispered to himself. This man was very strange, who speaks a prayer like that? There was one thing he did know, that this man was speaking fluent Japanese. He hadn’t had a Japanese prayer in a while. And in angel time, a while is an hour.

Needless to say, a prayer messenger can communicate by all the languages on earth. It's a gift that only they had.

“Ah, ok... right. Let’s just do this” Cherry suddenly heard the man sigh. His heart jolted at the sound, the golden glimmer in his eyes alert. For some reason, Cherry felt enticed by the man’s voice and his odd words. “So I’ve been having a really horrible time lately. My restaurant is not doing too well in numbers, the new competition two doors away is wiping the floor with us, so firstly I guess I would like that to be sorted, erm, please? You probably think I’m undeserving of this, and well… I can imagine you’ll just forget about me. But I’ve worked so hard. Too hard, in fact. I’m so exhausted, I can’t even… I can’t even rest. Whatever I do, whatever dish I come up with is not good enough-” the man paused again. Cherry could hear him swallow loudly.

“I don’t care what my folks think, or what my friends think. I just want to make myself proud, and right now... I’m not doing that. It… hurts, to see your hard work, which you practised for years, go down the drain. So angels, or whoever the hell- oh wait I can’t say hell, right? That’s unethical? Shit, I’m so sorry man! Wait, did I just call an angel man?”

Cherry found himself smirking at the man. Before he realised it, he found himself replying. Not that the man could hear him. “I’ve heard that saying far too many times, you’ve been let off” he spoke amusingly.

“-So yeah that’s my prayer. And just to let you know, I would not result to this if I weren’t desperate. My friend Ami said the angels would listen, so er, here I am? Wow I hope no one finds out” He breathed a chuckle “So I’m not sure what to do now? other than go back to work so er, angels, thanks for listening to me, I guess? Have a nice... I dont know if you have time zones up in Heaven so er, just enjoy your day... And if you’re not real and I’ve been just talking to myself this whole time then that’s damn embarrassing. So… yeah… bye”

Before Cherry realised it, he laughed heartily at the man’s prayer. Of course, he did not mean to, he just found the man ever so amusing. It was natural for a first-timer to be nervous and doubt the angel's exsistence, but this man did not sound like the type to believe in angels and Heaven’s Realm. Thus, this strangely fascinated Cherry.

“You know it’s not nice to laugh at those praying” A voice came from behind the well.

Cherry stopped laughing immediately and stood up straight from his comfortable position laying on the bench. He watched as Snow White strolled towards him, his long pearl white chiton swirling at his feet.

“Hello Snow. To what do I owe the pleasure” Cherry spoke, walking towards the well to sort the Japanese man’s prayer.

“Cherry…” Snow began, a little awkward. He ran a hand through his sky blue hair. Cherry knew what this meant.

“Go on” Cherry prompted with his brows raised. The Japanese man’s prayer can wait.

“Well, we at prayer sorting haven’t received many prayers lately. We think… you may be trying to work by yourself again and go all independent. You do have a whole team of us you know” Snow said, shifting his position. Cherry could tell just how uncomfortable the young boy was. But Cherry liked Snow, out of everyone in Heaven’s Realm, he considered Snow as his closest friend. 

At such a bold statement coming from the young angel, it was quite hard to be bothered by it.

“I see…” Cherry hummed “and is this bothering all of the prayer sorters? Or just yourself?” 

“All of us. Cherry, I know you like to go off and sort all the prayers yourself, but we need work too” Snow replied.

“You are right, I apologise. I will ensure I send more prayers your way” Cherry nodded, before turning back to the orb. But Snow continued to stand, not leaving.

“Do you think you will ever take the position of Heaven Official?” Snow asked.

The only angel Cherry dared speak to about the Heaven Official’s with was Snow. So before he spoke, he made sure to glance around the messenger well gardens for another sign of existence. “I do not know” Cherry sighed, running a pale finger along the white marble surface of the well. “I like where I am now. Bothersome free, in the most beautiful spot in the Realm. If I became an Official, I will be tied down to the role for the rest of my existence, without my freedom nor solitude”

Snow frowned. “You do have a lot to live up to if you become one of them. But you know they will never stop asking you”

“I know they will not,” Cherry said with a small frown. “You are very lucky you know”

“Not really. It’s quite pitiful your boss being the greatest friend you have in the Realm”

Cherry smiled. “And mine, being my assistant”

Snow smiled in return, the sapphire gems of his bright eyes glistening “Ok well I guess I need to get back, Rose will moan at me again”

“If she continues to bother you, just send her my way. It’s not the first time Rose Petal has picked on you”

Langa’s eyes grew wide. “No no it’s fine, I just ignore her!”

“Ok good, though I do ensure you come to me if anything else happens. Goodbye Snow” Cherry smiled with a nod.

“Er Cherry?” Snow spoke as he was about to walk away. He turned his head around, a hand resting on a marble column. “Why were you so amused at a prayer earlier?”

Luckily Snow could not see the look that appeared on Cherry’s face from behind the vines and green leaves that obstructed his view. Cherry was not sure why his heart was accelerating at a high speed, or why his cheeks flushed the shade of his blossomed hair, but this wasn’t something that Snow needed to know.

“Nothing you needn’t worry about” He dismissed with a wave of his hand.

What Cherry most liked about Snow was how he was one to never interrogate Cherry. Thus, the subject was dropped immediately.

Cherry heard as Snow’s footsteps walked away, and the sound of his angel wings extending “Oh ok, see you then”

Once Snow was gone and Cherry was back to the pleasantness of his own company, he looked down at the prayer orb floating above the well, waiting to be sorted. Before Cherry knew what he was doing, he reached a slender finger out towards the orb, through the outer layer of cool mist, and touched the milky pearl of the prayer's core.

“Heaven? Angels? I don’t even know who I’m speaking to here-” The Japanese man spoke.

A small smile graced Cherry’s lips as he listened with pleasure to the man’s prayer again, and again and again.

~

For the first time in Cherry Blossom’s life, a month which seems like a few days in angel time, went very slow. He did not admit this to himself, but Cherry often waited, day by day, for a new prayer to come in from the Japanese man. He had listened to his first prayer many times, too many times in fact. Although he did only say that this was because he had not yet decided whether it is worth granting. But deep down, he did not want to send the prayer orb away. He wanted to keep it in his grasp, for only his ears to hear.

He laid once again on the stone bench. Listening to an endless list of prayers being spoken out loud. He already granted five that morning, and let fifty-five be forgotten down the opposed dark hole.

But just as he gracefully stood up from the bench, patting down his pearl white chiton, he picked out the orb in the well’s water which shone the brightest. It was another fresh one. Perhaps only admitted just seconds ago.

Cherry touched the orb’s core and waited for the human voice to speak.

“Hi… angels. It’s me again. Wow this is still so weird”

Cherry felt his heart jolt and the amber rings around his golden eyes glowed with anticipation. He couldn’t help but let a small smile tug at his lips.

“Hello, you” He said, as he leaned his head on his folded arms on the well’s surface, waiting for the Japanese man to proceed. He could not believe the man was back.

“Things are… really not good lately. Would you believe that the stupid Italian that opened up a couple of doors down is now doing takeaway too? Our numbers are still declining. But the guy that owns it, is just stinking rich. How can I compete with that? He spends all of his money on professional chefs overseas to do all his work for him. Yet I trap myself in that kitchen, and work day and night to make sure our menu is perfect…you know he even has five-star service, hygiene rating, quality of food…” The man sighed deeply.

Cherry frowned. For the first time in his role, he felt… pity. Pity on the man who was struggling. Pity on a man he did not know, and who was only a trivial human, in a sea of millions on earth. So why did he feel pity?

He had dealt with far worse prayers than this. And far more crucial ones.

But this man, just a chef from Japan, Cherry wanted to know more. Was it just his voice Cherry was fond of? His comical way with words? He did not know.

“...I am working myself to the bone here, I don’t even have time to skate anymore. I haven’t even been to S in a month. I feel like… I can’t find myself right now. So please… wow I can’t believe I’m begging, but please angels, or whoever I am speaking to, just give me a chance. I will be forever grateful”

At those last words, a knot in Cherry’s stomach tightened. Before he could think, he reached his fingers out towards the orb and cupped it in his hands.

With his eyes closed shut, Cherry leaned his head forward, with his smooth pink lips pursed, and kissed the core of the orb.

By the time Cherry opened his eyes, the orb that was resting in his palms just moments ago disappeared, the prayer being granted.

“I hope you find yourself again”

~

It had been three months since Cherry granted the wish of the Japanese human As much as he felt happy to let the prayer go, he could not help but feel a pang of disappointment that the man will not pray ever again.

Well, ever again in the human’s small life. An angel’s life expectancy is ten times longer than the average human. Cherry being 327, and Snow only 208.

Human time for angels is very fast for the angels. They’re far more fragile.

With the regular humans that prayed to the Heavens, it was indeed a tough job when one would meet their end. As a prayer messenger, you had to be strong-willed, and not allow your emotions get the best of you. And certainly not get attached. That was a forbidden rule.

But all Cherry wanted deep inside, was to hear the Japanese man’s prayer once again. To laugh at his amusing words, and hear his deep voice.

It was supper time in Heaven’s Realm, and Cherry and Snow sat on a pristine stone table upon fluffy cloud cushions, eating their meal.

Another amazing thing about the Heavens was you could wish for any food or drink you wanted, and it would be placed right before you.

“Why are you so invested in Japanese cuisine at the moment?” Snow asked curiously, taking a bite of his juicy beef burger. Burgers were Snow’s favourite.

Cherry looked up at Snow, putting on his usual stoic impression to hide the shock in his eyes. Snow was very observant. Too observant. “Because I enjoy it. If one enjoys the taste of a particular meal, they would eat it all the time will they not?”

Snow didn’t buy it. He narrowed his eyes at Cherry, dropping his burger back on his plate. “You’ve been acting... weird lately Cherry. You’re also a lot more quiet than usual, and I never knew you to eat Japanese cuisine so much, you’ve had it before but only now you’re indulging in it every day?”

Cherry paused with his noodles midair. He placed his chopsticks down on the table, debating how to answer. He was only eating the cuisine because he wanted to taste the food that the human chef was cooking on earth. He wanted to explore his love for food, Cherry felt he was closer to him that way.

He could have come clean to Snow and tell him everything about the human man and how he felt. But he could not risk anyone finding out. If the Official’s found out that Cherry was curious about a single human, he would lose his position. And worse, he would lose the respectful persona he had tried so hard to uphold in the Realm

“There was a human who would not stop talking about Japanese cuisine. So, naturally, I wanted to see what the excitement was all about”

Snow blinked at Cherry. He could see the cogs turning in Snow’s head. “…d-do you have feelings for a human?” He whispered with wide eyes, leaning in closer for only Cherry to hear him.

The outside food quarters we’re quiet at this hour. Because of how busy their role was, Cherry and Snow liked to eat their supper late. But talking about a subject so risky, you needed to be quiet.

Cherry chuckled nervously at Snow then, waving his hand as if such a thing was ridiculous “Do not say something so foolish. No angel has ever fallen for a human, and no angel ever will. Humans are fickle beings, with nothing but hatred and sorrow filled inside them. Why would one fall in love for such a thing?” Cherry grimaced. He knew he sounded quite harsh. He has indeed met humans before. Only twice in his long existence had he descended to earth. Something that he did learn from his travels was not all humans we’re the same. But he could not let Snow grow suspicious.

“That’s... a little ignorant Cherry don’t you think?” Snow frowned. In his crystal sapphire eyes was a slight trace of hurt. Cherry could not understand why the boy was so defensive over the humans anyway.

Cherry sighed. “You are right, that was truly ignorant of me. But… humans are not perfect, neither are us angels. We’re both beings that have a pure goal to survive, whether it’s up here in the clouds or down on the earth below”

“So we do have something in common with the human’s right?” Snow asked. He seemed to have perked up a little now. His mood was very odd to Cherry.

“Yes… I suppose we do” Cherry said in thought, taking another mouthful of his udon. He then had an extremely alarming thought. “Snow, could it be you have met a human to your liking?” he suddenly asked.

Snow’s eyes widened then. It was indeed a picture. He lifted the large beef burger to his face so Cherry could not see his flustering red cheeks. “No,” He said stubbornly, taking a large bite and gulping it down.

Cherry was not angry. Nor was he repulsed. He surprisingly felt… a sense of relief. Relief that falling for a human was not such an impossibility for an angel, and Cherry wasn’t completely insane for doing so. It’s possible. And the evidence was right there before him.

“Snow, I will not be angry. You can tell me what you are thinking or… feeling, and I promise to not let slip a word to another angel. If it’s the guidance you need, I assure you I will do my very best to help”

Snow slowly dropped the burger obstructing his face. His cheeks were very red, and there was fear in his eyes. Cherry pitted him, frowning too. It was natural for the boy to be so terrified, who knew what would happen to such a young angel like him if the Official’s we’re to come to light about this forbidden affair.

“Ok…” Snow whispered, taking in a sharp intake of breath before he continued. “I…well it was about six months ago now when I first heard the prayer at my station in the prayer sorting quarters. And he-“

“So the human's a he?” Cherry asked with a faint smile touching his lips.

“Y-yes he…” Snow stuttered, his cheeks growing redder by the second. Cherry did not realise one could fluster this much. “Prays quite a lot. He’s a skateboarder? I didn’t know what one was until I listened to his prayers. They’re usually the same, he wants to become better, but can’t. As much as he’s trying, he just can’t beat the ones more advanced, and well I felt sorry for him-”

As Cherry listened and nodded, he thought the story sounded awfully familiar. He was sure that his human chef was a skateboarder as well. Earth was a very small world indeed.

“I just suddenly had this urge to make him happy. I wanted to grant every prayer he said true. But then he started to get hurt, he would try too hard and end up taking on humans too difficult for him. It started to upset me, that he would… put himself in danger”

Snow stopped talking, his eyes going wide again. “I’m s-sorry I’ve said too much”

Cherry could understand why Snow was so reluctant to speak his feelings. The feelings he possessed were quite profound. And they were also very close to home. So, with a steady breath, Cherry decided it was time to speak his feelings, too.

“You have not said too much. It’s important to speak what’s on your mind, otherwise, it will overwhelm you. But Snow, when you questioned earlier about the Japanese cuisine I am eating, you was right. There is a reason behind it. You are an observant one, aren’t you?” Cherry smiled.

This made Snow suddenly brighten up. “So you have taken a liking to a human too!” He beamed. Before quickly placing his finger over his mouth at his sudden outburst “Sorry” He whispered.

Cherry chuckled, looking around the food quarters once again. “No one is here it’s fine. But yes I suppose I have. Your feelings are… quite similar to mine. I just thought if I told my story, you would not feel so upset with yourself. As, undoubtedly, what we’ve both learned tonight is such a thing is possible, and neither of us are completely deranged” Cherry winked, taking a sip of the pale golden wine in his crystal goblet.

“That is a relief” Snow breathed “If the two of us are feeling this way, then surely it has happened before to others? Naturally, they would have kept quiet about it?”

“Yes, that’s true. No angel has knowledge of what will happen if the Official’s come to light about such a thing. And I don’t intend to find out”

Snow nodded. But the wide smile that graced his face just moments ago, turned back into a frown. “Cherry… I… will never-“

Cherry’s brows knitted together, a feeling in the depths of his stomach ached. It was a strange feeling, a feeling which he did not like. It made him feel nauseous and he suddenly lost his appetite “No, you will never meet him” His words were quite cruel, but it was a sad truth that both of them had to face.

“Yes I know,” Snow replied with a meek voice. “Can you tell me about your… human then?” he asked suddenly, steering the subject away.

“My human?” Cherry smirked, reaching for his goblet once again. “Ok I shall tell you” He took a large sip of his wine, before telling Snow everything. He wasn’t sure if it was purely the alcohol talking. But he did not miss out on a single detail. How he had listened to the man’s prayers on repeat almost every single day. How he studied his voice, his life, and his hobbies. How he even tried to learn about Japan itself, picking up a book from the Realm's head library and examining each page at night until the first rays of dawn shone over Heaven’s Realm.

Once Cherry was finished, Snow sat back slowly, taking a moment to register everything his superior had told him. He could not believe it himself. The Official’s favourite, their precious gift, had fallen for a human. And to make it even more beyond belief, Cherry had only heard two prayers from the human. Whereas Snow had at least heard fifteen or sixteen by now. Though, throughout the entire time that Cherry told his story, he reframed from using the word love. Almost as if he was still in denial about the whole thing.

“Cherry… why don’t you go to earth and find him? You’ve done it before-“

“No,” Cherry said immediately, cutting Snow off. Snow blinked at him.

“But I thought you really liked the human?” He questioned, confused.

“I like him, yes, but I will not jeopardise my position and lose face in the Heaven's over a mere human. I wish there was a way we could meet, but it cannot be done without arising suspicion”

“And what makes you think that when the human… passes, that you won’t regret not ever getting to know him?”

The question made the horrid ache in Cherry’s heart come back. His stomach felt empty, and there was a lump in his throat. But Cherry dismissed the feeling instantly. He had to keep his head straight.

“No I will not, I have met thousands of humans through their prayers before, this one will be forgotten like the rest in no time” Cherry rose from his seat, brushing down his chiton and extending his feather white wings. “It’s getting late, I should retire for the evening”

“Cherry…” Snow pleaded. He did not understand why he was being so stubborn all of sudden, he just confessed his feelings before Snow with a giddy smile and flustered cheeks. What had changed?

“Snow, goodnight,” He said with a tight smile, before turning around to exit the food quarters.

As Cherry flew back to his home upon the clouds, he tried to dismiss the sad truth of what Snow said. But as much as he attempted to sleep that night, the haunting question would crawl its way back into his mind, plaguing his thoughts of nothing but negativity.

“What do I do” he whispered to himself in his empty sleeping quarters in the early hours of the morning. “How could I be so foolish? To fall for a human, after a single prayer. Why me, Officials? Why create me like this?”

Cherry laid on his side, playing with the long strands of his blossomed hair in the platinum-gold moonlight amid the starlit Heavens. The Japanese man had his wish granted, so he was not coming back. That was the reality.

But as much as Cherry would dismiss this thought and bury the feelings deep down inside, the ache in his heart did not subside, as it was the only reminder he will ever have of this human’s existence for centuries to come.

~

It had been a month since Cherry and Snow had their talk over supper. Snow did not bring up the subject anymore, and neither did Cherry. It was almost like the exchange between the two did not happen. It was midday towards the end of the week in Heaven’s Realm. The sun was beating high in the sky, warming Cherry’s pearl white skin.

He laid elegantly on the bench beside the well, playing with a red rose in his slender fingers. The flowers we’re his favourite part of the prayer gardens. They were forever in bloom, the yellow nectar always looked so sweet. And the floral fragrance that filled the air was fresh in Cherry’s lungs. It truly was a beautiful place to be.

“Hi Cherry” Snow’s voice spoke from the entrance to the gardens.

Cherry propped the red rose behind his ear and walked towards the well to sort the prayer he had listened to moments ago. “Hello Snow, are you well?” He asked, pinching the orb in his fingers before dropping it down the dark hole to the right.

“I’m good thanks. Was that prayer not worth granting?” He asked, reaching the well and leaning against it.

“No” Cherry sighed. “Just another selfish human wanting money to be granted out of thin air”

“Those ones are the worst. Humans are so obsessed with money, I don’t know why”

Cherry raised his brows at Snow beside him. “You really ought to descend to earth soon, I had already been at your age. In our positions, it is important to be educated on the humans below”

“Yeah… going to earth would be nice,” Snow said without looking at Cherry.

Though Cherry could hear the sadness in his words, and the meaning behind them. He looked down at the crystal blue water swirling around the well, and picked out another new prayer, the core glowing bright like the stars above.

“Was there something you needed?” Cherry asked, pausing with his finger almost touching the core.

“No, It’s my break so just thought id see what you’re up to” He shrugged.

Cherry smiled. “I see. Well you are welcome to help me sort through some prayers if you do not have anything better to do”

Once Cherry pressed his finger against the milky white core, both he and Snow waited until the human spoke.

“Angels? Hi, it’s me again. Actually, you might not know who me is, but it's Kojiro, the Chef that has been begging you for prayers-“

Cherry felt his heart stop, he was completely frozen in place. He felt his lips part in shock as the familiar voice he had heard so many times make its way back into his existence. It had been so long since he heard a new prayer from his human.

In a hurry, he lifted a finger and touched the core again, stopping the prayer immediately.

He looked at Snow to his side, the expression on his face completely still. Snow looked from the prayer to the look on Cherry’s face, then the prayer again and back to Cherry. He was quiet for a moment as he put two and two together. Once he figured it out, he gasped out loud.

“Heavens!” He exclaimed. “That’s him isn’t it? Cherry what are you waiting for! Listen to him! Oh, this is so great I can’t believe it” Snow gushed, pointing frantically to the prayer orb floating above the well water.

Cherry shook his head as if to get rid of the shock. He could not believe he was back… and with a new prayer. Once the shock subsided, a smile found its way onto Cherry’s face. So this man has a name, and it was Kojiro. He liked the way it sounded in his head, but he dared say the name on his lips just yet, not in front of Snow.

“Cherry? I can go if you want…” Snow then said, warily looking at Cherry’s frozen index finger in the air, ready to press the orb’s core.

“If you would please” Cherry whispered, his mouth had gone incredibly dry. His golden eyes fixed on the orb before him.

Snow did not say another word then but expanded his wings ready to fly away, back towards the prayer messenger quarters. He understood this was a private moment for Cherry. And one that was very dear to his heart.

“Ok Kojiro, let’s hear what you wish to say,” Cherry said. He was right, he liked the way Kojiro sounded. The roll of his tongue as he dragged out the R.

With his finger at the ready, he pressed the core lightly and waited as Kojiro spoke again.

“Angels? Hi, it’s me again. Actually, you might not know who me is, but it’s Kojiro, the Chef that has been begging you for prayers all this time" Kojiro laughed. It was genuine, and it made Cherry's heart go all warm "This isn’t really a prayer, actually…I hope you’re not mad that I tricked you, but it was to say thank you, to whoever made my prayer come true-”

Cherry blinked.

“I didn’t believe in angels, devils, heaven and hell or whatnot. But after my restaurant is finally seeing the numbers it deserves, and my food is once again loved by others… I just have this feeling deep down that it was you who granted it for me. The restaurant two doors down we’re surprisingly illegally running without hygiene checks, forging their rating. You probably don’t understand that...basically at restaurants on earth, you need to make sure… actually why am I going off topic? ha ha. Anyway, of course, that rich son of a bitch had what was coming for him. But all of this… it was all thanks to you. And one day, when I’m… no longer here, I hope I get to meet you to thank you in person. But anyway I need to get back to the restaurant now it’s so busy thanks to you! So anyway, see ya”

Cherry was clutching hard onto the well’s surface, eyes wide and throat dry. This has never happened before. Ever. In his 327 years in Heaven’s Realm, he had never heard a human trick the angels into sending a thank you prayer. A thank you prayer?

But there was one thing that stood out to Cherry the most. One sentence, that made his heart feel light and his stomach create butterflies. 

I hope I get to meet you to thank you in person.

Though the happiness that Cherry felt inside twisted and turned into something bitter. He frowned at the orb floating above the well and sighed deeply. Will he regret it, not meeting Kojiro?

But there was certainly no way he could just descend to the earth below, without a valid reason for doing so. You needed an authorised statement from the Officials themselves which could take up to a month to sign off. Naturally, Cherry had done this before, so he knew what to expect.

But the idea of him descending to earth for immoral reasons, made him feel terribly at fault. Could he truly go through it all?

An image painted itself inside Cherry’s head. How he imagined Kojiro looked, his mannerisms and the way he acts. Cherry also imagined that he was playful, a troublemaker at heart. Yet dedicated, and extremely passionate about the things that mattered to him the most. This image Cherry had built of Kojiro, the Japanese Chef, for months, could one day become a reality. He could finally meet him, be with him, and create excitement in his long angel existence if only for a mere few months.

It would be worth it.

“For you"

~

Later that evening, Cherry and Snow walked side by side along the quiet paths of Heaven’s Realm, on their way to the food quarters. As expected, Snow did not ask Cherry about Kojiro at first. So Cherry decided it was his turn to speak his thoughts, as Snow would be the only one in the Realm to help him after all.

“Snow, I have decided-“

“Cherry Blossom!” A female voice called in glee from behind the two. Cherry, with his face stoic as always, turned around to face a group of female angel’s running towards them. They we’re very breathtaking. With large bright eyes, luscious lips, and smooth skin delicate like glass.

“Hello, Athena, Bluebell, Eternity. How are you beautiful ladies doing this evening?” Cherry greeted with a charming smile, bowing down before them.

He watched as Snow rolled his eyes beside him. 

“We’re doing splendid thank you” Athena winked with a coy giggle, twisting the curls of her chestnut hair with delicate porcelain fingers “Where are you two off to this evening? Do you need some female company?”

“Yes, we’re completely free!” Eternity then spoke up with a sunny smile. Her violet eyes were blazing, and only on the blossomed haired man before her.

Cherry chuckled, taking a step back as the three women took one step closer “As much as the company of you lovely ladies will I’m sure be entertaining, I have somewhere to be with Snow” He said, gesturing to the young boy beside him.

Snow stilled as the three women turned to look at him with faces of indifference. Of course, Snow had not been in the company of ethereal female angels before, so he blushed deeply. But the three women were not concerned with Snow, so they looked away instantly and gazed back at Cherry with the same melting smiles as before.

“But Cherry… do you not remember when you used to play with us all the time in your bedroom?” Athena whined as her lips pursed into a frown.

Cherry immediately looked at Snow, an awkward chuckle escaped him as his brain figured out the best way to explain this to the underage boy later. Naturally being the most desired angel in Heaven’s Realm, it would be unheard of if Cherry did not experience arrogance at least once in his prolonged angel life. So as a young adult, Cherry went through a rebellious stage and used his reputation to his advantage. He laid with only the most beautiful angels, drank rich wine in crystal goblets to his heart content, and stayed up all night partying to then sleep undisturbed during the day.

It was certainly a story in which Snow should not hear.

“Athena, Bluebell, Eternity” Cherry started, keeping a charming smile on his lips “I have been extremely busy lately, so I apologise for not being the way I used to be. But the importance of my higher position limits a lot more free time than I hoped. But I am sure there are plenty of other men in the Realm who will happily entertain you if you only asked of them”

Cherry looked over at a very speechless Snow, gesturing his head towards the food quarters to escape. “Goodnight ladies”

Luckily the three women did not prevail on Cherry any longer, in the fear they will end up losing face in public. But as soon as the two of them found a bench hidden towards the back of the food quarters, Snow did not hold back his excitement.

“I apologise, Snow, I do try to turn them down gently every-“

“No no it’s fine Cherry, but what have you decided?” It seemed Snow was no longer bothered at all by the three women, but only remembered what Cherry stopped to say earlier that evening.

Cherry blinked. "Oh, yes right" But for some reason, it was quite a hard statement to say out loud. Of course, he was still filled with worry deep in the depths of his stomach. An angel would be if they were planning to lie to the heaven officials. “I have decided-“ Cherry started, taking a deep breath. “To descend to earth”

Snow paused for a moment as if his brain was processing the words that were just spoken from Cherry’s lips. Then suddenly, his smile was so wide Cherry was sure his face would break in two. “I knew it!” Snow beamed, the glow in his sapphire eyes bright as ever. “I knew you’d eventually come around. Cherry, I’m so happy you want to, I’ve been thinking about how-“

“Hold on” Cherry interjected with his palm lifted in the air “Do you mean to tell me that you’ve deliberated a plan already?”

Snow bit his lip with his brows furrowed. “Well… kind of…”

“To lie to your respected superiors?” 

“Erm…”

“To descend to a world in which you have not stepped a single foot or wing in before?”

Snow sighed. The smile that graced his face just moments ago was replaced with a frown. “No” He responded, looking away from Cherry into the distance. The hint of blush in his cheeks was noticeable.

“It seems we have a lot to work out then” Cherry spoke. Though what he said previously got him thinking… Snow turned towards Cherry with his pursed lips and narrowed eyes.

“What?” Snow asked, examining Cherry’s thinking face.

“You have not descended to earth before…”

“No… I haven’t?” Snow replied, waiting for Cherry to elaborate.

“Well, it’s simple then. We need to give the Official’s a valid reason to let you descend to earth to study the humans. Although, they do not just let any angel through the gate. You will need to prove yourself greatly…” Cherry explained, speaking his thoughts out loud.

“If I need to study humans, that means I need help, which means…” Snow continued.

“You’re performing inadequately in your position, and need further guidance to help perform to the best of your ability…”

“And they’ll send a trusted angel and experienced mentor, you, to assist me to earth to study…”

“Yes yes,” Cherry replied, mapping the plan carefully in his mind.

“Cherry this is perfect,” said Snow, the excitement that was there moments ago coming back.

But Cherry looked at Snow with his golden irises intently, as if attempting to read his face. “Are you sure you want this?” He asked in a low voice.

Snow was taken aback by the question at first. But he knew what Cherry was really asking. 

Is your human worth the risk?

“Yes, I do” Snow answered almost immediately. He would not live the next hundreds of years, regretting that he never met his human. It would make him miserable. “And you?”

Cherry wasn’t as quick as Snow to answer. It was not that Kojiro was not worth it, but deep down Cherry was terrifed. Though he dared admit such a thing to Snow, he was frightened that Kojiro was nothing that he dreamed he would be, and he would be severely disappointed. But, like Snow, he did not want to live the rest of his existence regretting not trying.

“Yes”

~

The plan in which the two angels spent a week structuring, was finally completed. They spent their sleepless nights formulating, their supper times scheming, and their free times thinking. Cherry was sure it would work, especially since he, the Realm’s favourite angel, was a part of it. Unless Snow could not live up to his role and lie to the Official’s in the interview process, they will be able to enter the gate to the unfamiliar world below and meet the human’s they have only dreamed about.

“Are you ready to hear the plan again?” Cherry spoke with a pale feather quill fixed behind his ear. 

Laid out wide on the table below him, was a piece of parchment with the plan written in precise detail. Naturally, Cherry was to burn the parchment in the fireplace once they went through it one last time, with not a trace of evidence left behind.

“Yes,” Snow nodded, standing opposite Cherry, looking at the plan he skilfully drew below.

As Cherry began to speak, he used a delicate finger to trace and point to each part of the plan on the piece of parchment. “As discussed, the first part of the plan is all on you. You need to ensure you slowly start making mistakes in your position. Now everything I am asking of you is highly unethical, so unless-“

“Cherry we’ve been through this, I am in” Snow injected with a sigh.

Cherry raised his brows “Ok, I was only making sure. As I was saying, you will start to make small mistakes. First, you will become progressively slow in sorting your prayers, not too slow, but enough to draw the right amount of attention. You will then start to lose sight of your knowledge in your reports. Signing off prayers in which you forgot to sort, answering questions wrong, but only just about. Now, this is where things become more consequential. After a month of doing the small mistakes, we move onto the bigger ones. You will start to grant prayers that are… immorally wrong. I say, about four or five should get the attention of the Officials. After five, they will have no choice but to step in, and ask to meet with you”

Cherry then moved his finger to the part of the parchment with the second plan.

“This is where you will begin to lie. I have only witnessed one other angel who was sent to the Official’s from the messenger quarters for a hearing, but I will do my best to explain what happens. As you know, there are twelve Officials in total. Six of them rule over the angels, the other six are solely focused on the humans below. These six are the ones you need to be aware of, they will not let just any angel through that gate”

“How do I know which six to look out for?” Snow spoke up.

“The Official’s Precinct is split into two sides, the Angel Officials are sat to the right, and the Human Officials are sat to the left. The Angel Officials will be the ones to integrate you first, and as we discussed, ensure you act with ignorance and innocence. They will then decide whether further educated is needed, and that is when the Human Official’s step in. They will do their very best to intimidate you, but you must continue to lie. Exaggerate when you can, shed some tears if you will”

Snow nodded. “I will try my best”

“I know you will” Cherry replied. “At the end of the meeting, you will then be asked to fill out a request for further education. On the form is an option to request to descend to the earth below, thus, you will tick that box. Once you have the form signed by your superior” Cherry gestures to himself with a smile. “I will send the form back to the Officials myself. It will take up to a month to hear back, so until then we sit tight, and you continue to make those small mistakes we discussed”

“Ok, that wait doesn’t seem long. What about the big mistakes though? Like granting immoral prayers? Five seems like a lot” Snow asked. Of course, both angels cringed at the last question. Being skilful messengers, it was almost painful to imbed such an act in their plan. Especially Snow, who will have to perform it.

“Four or five, but no more”

“This is going to be hard” Snow sighed, sitting down on the cloud cushioned chair behind him.

“I know it will be, but I believe you can do it. If it helps, just think of your Reki” Cherry said with a smile.

Both angels informed one another of their human’s name earlier that day and what a coincidence for the two that both humans we’re from Japan.

“Now are you ready to hear part three?” Cherry asked.

“Yes”

“I believe with my influence, we should get the answer we are hoping for from the Officials. And once we do, we will be asked to meet for the briefing. I have done a briefing twice before so there is no real need for me to go. However, I will ensure I attend beside you for moral support”

“A briefing?” Snow asked in confusion.

“Yes, each angel needs to attend a briefing before they descend to Earth. To predominantly cover such things like the rules while you are there. No unnecessary human contact, no human employment, no indecent behaviour and so on. You will learn about the way in which humans live, and their profound use of technology. Of course, you will have to take on a human form too, and you will learn how to do that also”

“A human form? That sounds so exciting” Snow smiles “All of this seems like so much to learn though, how will I process it all in one day?”

Cherry blinked at Snow. “A day? Why of course one could not learn all of this in a day. The briefing takes five years. But for us angel’s, that is hardly long”

Cherry watched as Snow’s face paled. You could almost see his jaw hit the stone floor in shock. “Five…years? B-but Reki will g-grow older and-“

Snow watched Cherry’s eye grow wide. "What no Snow, I was joking!" Cherry said a little panicked at Snow's worried face "I did not think you would believe me! I am so sorry that was incredibly cruel of me,” He said “I promise to not joke like that again”

Snow narrowed his eyes at Cherry “You’re lucky I’m not holding that quill, I would have thrown black ink all over you!”

“And I deserve it” Cherry smiled, relieved Snow was back to his normal self “I just thought we could use a poorly put together joke”

“Whatever” Snow said with a roll of his eyes and a wave of his hand “How long is the briefing really?”

“It’s seven days. Each day, you will learn something different. And after the final day of the briefing, we will be given a date of departure. It is usually within the next five days following”

“Ok, that sounds good. So what’s the plan once we’re on earth?” Snow asked.

“Good question” Cherry responded, moving his finger over to the last part of the plan. Part four. “Something quite vital completely slipped my mind. After the Officials have signed off your request, you will be given the duration time for your visit to Earth. This is all calculated from four things. Your ranking as a messenger, your current and past performance in your position, and your mentor accompanying you. Now me being your mentor should up the length of our stay. The only thing that may decrease it considerably is your past performance. Naturally you we’re very good at your job before, and the Officials will not forget that”

Snow sighed. “That’s true, I suppose that is why our plan is prolonged, I can’t just start making mistakes in my role out of nowhere”

“Precisely. It’s all little by little” Cherry nodded.

“So how long do you think we will be allowed on Earth?”

Cherry looked into the distance behind Snow as he began working it out in his head. The longest he has ever been on earth was a single year. The time before he was allowed for only a month, but that was purely due to not having the best-fitted mentor. “I would guess we would have six months if we’re lucky”

“In human time that’s quite long isn’t it?”

“It is indeed. And besides, our reasoning for our plan is just to meet them, no?”

“Right" Snow agreed "And then we will… go back home”

“And then we will go back home”

But as the two angels repeated those seven words in their heads, their stomachs twisted and their hearts dropped. But in the end, to descend to earth to meet their humans would all be worth it.

It had to be.

~

They did everything that was planned in the first part, and all leading up to a certain moment. The interview. 

It has been just shy of five weeks since the two angels met in Cherry’s living quarters, going through the plan finely drawn on the parchment bit by bit.

Snow did his small mistakes, and to his dismay, he did the bigger ones. He stayed up until the early hours of the morning, hoping his tiredness will play a part. Snow had not heard from Reki since he finally granted his last wish, just like what Cherry did with Kojiro. Thus, it made him only wish for the plan to work more.

It was midday on a Tuesday when Cherry waltzed through the messenger quarters, with a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. The messenger quarters was a large area, outside, but with beautiful cloths of sheer cotton draped above. And just like everywhere else in the Realm, vibrant vines of green wrapped around the columns and stone arches. 

Cherry passed the rows of stations until he reached where Snow was at, a prayer orb firmly in his hand, waiting to sort it into one of the two holes on either side of him.

“Snow White” Cherry greeted. At that moment Snow knew. It was a rare event for Cherry to visit the messenger quarters so there must only be one thing he would come to say.

“Cherry Blossom” Snow greeted back with a smile, placing the orb into the forgotten hole. His stomach churned as he reached Cherry’s piercing eyes, and his heart beat faster.

“The Heaven Official’s wish to meet with you. Would you like to follow me please?” Cherry asked curtly with a face of indifference. He had to play the part also.

“Yes,” Snow replied with a deep breath, standing up from his seat. As he followed Cherry’s graceful figure, he tried his best to ignore the curious stares of the angels around him. It seemed he was going be the subject of gossip in the Realm now too.

The two angels walked through Ether Square, the main square in Heaven’s Realm under the beating sun. Of course, many angels tried to get the attention of Cherry, but seeing a very worried looking Snow scurrying behind him, they left them be.

In the middle of the square was a tall building, almost fifty story's high. With Corinthian columns tall and high, and statues of angels carved into the pure white stone. Up the grand staircase and through the large double doors, the two angels arrived in a vast foyer. With a high ceiling of floating clouds and walls of sparkling white quartz, it was truly a heavenly masterpiece to look at.

As Snow walked around the foyer with awe in his eyes, Cherry spoke to a Heaven's Officer to allow them access to the Official’s Precinct high above.

“Cherry, it’s always a pleasure” the angel spoke with charm, his bright emerald eyes crinkling from his sunny smile.

“Likewise Peridot. Has it been busy today?” Cherry asked, responding with the same graceful smile.

“Indeed. There was quite the incident on Laurel wreaths. Our new broadleaves stock are going missing you see. It seems the young angel of the Jewel family, I think it’s Primrose, just could not get the hang of the new technique and used ten times the amount” he said with a roll of his eyes.

Cherry raised his brows. “Oh dear that does sound a mess. Is her mentor not suitable?”

Peridot drew closer, whispering in Cherry’s ear. Cherry’s eyes widened, but Snow knew he was just fretting shock. Cherry was never one to be involved with gossip.

“I see. Well, it seems the Officials have a bigger problem on their hands with that one” Cherry replied, before gesturing to Snow behind him. Snow looked sulkily at Cherry. “This is the young angel the Officials have asked of me to bring here. His name is Snow White, a prayer sorter at the messenger quarters, and my assistant”

The warm smile that graced Peridot’s face disappeared almost immediately as he laid his emerald eyes on Snow’s sapphire ones. “Snow, I did not expect this from you” He shook his head and clicked his tongue “I’m sure Cherry has told you the procedure once you get to the top floor? Once you arrive, ensure you enter the first door to your left, and seat yourself on the gold chair in the middle of the court”

Snow looked at Cherry with worried eyes. He wished Cherry would come. But when Peridot was not looking, Cherry sent a wink his way, telling him not by words that everything is going to be just fine.

“I will meet you down here afterwards. Good luck, Snow” Cherry said.

Peridot opened a set of shiny gold gates behind him, to reveal a small white cloud. Of course, Snow knew what to do here. So he stepped onto the fluffy white cloud and it immediately started to ascend high above him, moving up between the walls of the building. Once he arrived at the correct floor, the cloud started to slow, stopping on its own.

“Here we go” Snow whispered to himself in the empty crystal white hallway, staring at the next set of stone white doors before him. Although these we’re much larger in size, at least ten feet taller than the young angel himself.

With slightly shaky hands, Snow went to push the doors forward, but to his surprise the doors opened themselves, creaking as they slowly moved.

Revealed before him, was an extraordinary courtroom. With fluffed white clouds as the ceiling, bloomed flowers bound around the columns, and right in the middle of the circular space, was a golden white throne. 

But what made Snow’s eyes grow wide was not the remarkable room around him, but the twelve sets of eyes that laid on him. Six we’re charming, shining brightly to Snow in greeting. But the other six we’re firm, holding an air of hostility. They sat up high on a platform, seated at a quartz white surface which stretched half of the circular room. Engraved on the wall of the quartz before Snow, we’re angels flying above the clouds, looking down on the humans below.

Walking slowly towards the golden throne in the fear he would trip over his own feet, Snow made himself comfy and sat down. That was when the first Official spoke, their voice echoing around the stately room.

“Hello, young man. Please state your name, age, area of residence and position within the Realm” the voice boomed. It was one of the Angel Officials.

Snow took a deep breath, swallowing hard. His stomach turning and his heart beating fast. “Snow White, 208, Azure Mews, Head Prayer Sorter at the messenger quarters”

The Angel Official nodded, noting the information down with a long golden quill. “Snow” another Official spoke with hair the colour of indigo and eyes the colour of rich plums in spring. “It has come to our attention that you have sorted...” the female Official glanced down at her slip of parchment “five immoral prayers in the past thirty-one days. Are you finding your position not worthy of your angel’s purpose that was bestowed to you at birth?”

Snow swallowed hard, before speaking with a slightly wavering voice “I do find it incredibly worthy, in truth I enjoy it very much. I believe I have a habit of overthinking my decisions and am starting to doubt my thoughts on humans”

Instead of the female angel replying, another one with long grey hair spoke from Snow’s left. His deep green eyes we're not as inviting as the other Official. And from his seat, it seems he was a Human Official “Looking at your stats, you have been performing exceptionally well for the past sixty-seven years. You we’re even promoted to a higher position, as Head Messenger Cherry Blossom’s assistant fifteen years ago, being the youngest assistant to ever be promoted to a Head Messenger to date. Tell us please Snow, what happened? Because to me, this does not make any sense” He said with narrowed cold eyes. It was hard to now cower at the sight.

But that was the question that both Cherry and Snow had been preparing for. Naturally, it was a turn up for the books when Snow suddenly was performing unsatisfactory, being such a good prayer sorter for many years before. Clutching harder onto his pearl white chiton, Snow began to start the chain of lies. “For sixty-seven years I enjoyed my job very much, performing to my best standards. But I feel now I am at the position I am destined to be in, I no longer need to perform to the best of my standards” Snow took a sharp intake of breath. “I have forgotten most of the things I have learnt from school about humans, due to my sheer laziness, and I am worried if I continue what I am doing there will be much worse consequences”

The Official’s gazed at Snow sitting on the golden throne. The cold one with the long grey hair replied. He knitted his arched brows together. “I see, so this is because of your laziness, pity" He said with a small scoff "So is it further education you require to be able to perform to the best of your ability?”

Snow’s heart jolted at the words further education. Though he tried his best to not show the sudden emotion on his face.

“I believe so. As mentioned, I feel I have completely lost my touch with human psychology and I am struggling to...” Snow bent his head over, a small choking sound escaping his mouth. He remembered Cherry’s comment about producing tears if needs be. “…meet the basic needs of my job and I don’t want to fail you I just I-“ Snow quietly released a sob, letting a stray tear fall onto his lap. “I’m so s-sorry” he whispered, his voice breaking.

The grey-haired Human Official that asked the question looked a little taken aback, looking at Snow in slight shock.

Through beating him to the punch, another Angel Official replied, smiling warmly at Snow. “Snow please there is no need to apologise. These mistakes happen"

"Could it be you’re not getting the guidance you require from your superior?” The Official with long grey hair replied again sternly.

Snow’s head darted up from his lap, his eyes suddenly alarmed. “No no. My superior shows me nothing but enlightenment in my role. I know he has tried incredibly hard to get me back on track, and I-I feel terrible…” Snow once again curved his lips into a frown. He was not one to cry, if anything, he has quite sure he had not produced tears since he was a child. He even surprised himself just how desirous he was to descend to earth.

Snow watched as a look of relief spread across the Official’s refined face. “I would expect nothing less from Cherry Blossom” The other Officials seemed to hum in agreement. 

The next half hour was very exhausting to Snow, emotionally and mentally. As expected, the Human Official's interrogated Snow to the best of their ability, and Snow did his best to lie, just as Cherry instructed him. Snow was not one to fidget either, but he found his hands grasped tight onto his chiton as if to help put his thoughts in order. Especially with those twelve sets of eyes burning a hole in his body, it was very hard to concentrate. He just hoped it was enough.

“Then Snow, what we need to decide as one, is the best course of action for you moving forward. And the right path that we can guarantee will help you in your troubles”

An Angel Official spoke to Snow’s far right, a gentle smile across her pink lips. "If you would please fill out the form here, and we shall let you know within the upcoming month our decision”

Snow nodded, feeling a flood of relief wash through him that his hearing was finally over “Okay, thank you”, he replied, before slowly getting up from his chair, and walking over to where the Official handed out a slip in her slender hand.

Snow filled out the form correctly, ensuring to tick the right boxes. He also read the disclosure carefully, as to not discuss the matters of the hearing with anyone but his superior. 

As he signed his name on the parchment, the ink below him glowed bright and golden, before sinking into the surface and changing back to its accustomed dark colour. That was a seal of a contract.

As Snow looked down at his name embedded into the parchment, in deep black ink, he knew there was no going back now. But in his head, there was only one way forward, and that way, was where Reki was waiting.

~

It was fifteen days when Cherry visited the messenger quarters once again, his features as hard as stone but the amber rings around his eyes bright. It was an odd expression to the other angels, but at that moment, Snow knew the answer that was written inside the envelope clutched in Cherry’s hands.

Cherry led them both to the messenger gardens, where he sat down gracefully at his normal bench, the hand with the envelope outstretched towards Snow.

No words were spoken between the two angels. Snow was evidently too nervous to make a sound out of his mouth. And Cherry respected that, giving him the time he needs. 

Snow silently took the envelope, opening it as soon as it was in his grasp. He tore it open a lot less elegantly than Cherry did, with a pounding heart and a knot tightening in his stomach. He could feel his hands go clammy and he was sure he felt a bead of sweat appear on his forehead. He had never felt so many emotions at once in his prolonged angel existence.

Snow began to read the letter aloud.

“Dear Snow White,

Following your Heaven Official’s Court Hearing that took place fifteen days prior to this letter, it is with great pleasure that we accept your proposal of descending to Earth to further your education as Head Prayer Sorter of the messenger quarters.

Starting from tomorrow at 8 am, you will arrive at the Educational Institute of Human Practices where a Human Official will be assigned to you for your seven day briefing. Ensure you bring along your angel birth certificate, and a parent or guardian to watch over you.

All the best of luck with your education.

The Heaven Officials

Official’s Precinct

1 Ether square”

Snow could feel tears prickling at the corner of his eyes. His beaming smile was so wide, it radiated an aura of happiness around him. He could not believe the words on the parchment before him.

“W-we did it,” Snow said, still in disbelief.

“You did it” Cherry replied. Snow looked up at Cherry, who also had a radiant smile that made his face glow.

“It wouldn’t have been without your plan” Snow pointed out, looking back at the words before him.

“And it wouldn’t have been without your exceptional lying. Although, I was hoping for six months and we only got three. But the plan still stays, we are only wanting to meet them. And as much as three months may not seem very long to us, it is to a regular human”

Snow’s smile never faded “That’s fine that’s fine” he repeated with a tight grip on the parchment in his hand. Not that the letter would fly away, but he kept it protectively close to his heart just in case it would disappear “The briefing starts tomorrow... that's so soon”

“It is. As I said, I will be joining you each day, and you will have to speak with your mother or father about joining us as well”

“Yes, I think my mother said she would like to join when I spoke about the possibility” Langa replied, before giving Cherry a confused frown “Hold on Cherry, who will take over our positions when we’re gone?”

Cherry waved his hand “The Officials will make those arrangements you needn’t worry. Let’s just focus on you learning what life for a human is like on Earth. There is plenty to master”

“It won’t be too much different from what we learn’t at school though, will it?” Snow questioned.

“It will be” Cherry hummed “What we angels learn at school is how the human mind works, and how they survive. What you are learning is how to live everyday life as a human. The point of you descending to earth is to experience becoming a human yourself and really grasp what their existence feels like. As I mentioned the other day, you have seven days to educate yourself before we go. So ensure you pay attention, as we cannot have a slip up while we are down there”

“Oh, I see that’s different. But don’t worry Cherry I’ll do my best!” Snow said brightly “I just… can’t wait. We're actually going to earth! How are you feeling about it?” he asked. Cherry was not the kind of angel to speak his mind willingly. Even with his greatest friend Snow, he would not speak about himself unless he was asked.

Cherry was surprised at Snow’s personal question at first, blinking at him as he thought about how best to answer. He was of course very elated about the whole situation, but there was a slight ache in his stomach that doubted the light feeling in his heart. “I’m…nervous” he found himself blurting out. 

Snow cocked his head to the side. He too seemed a little surprised by Cherry’s confession. He did not think Cherry would be so open. “Nervous? Why?”

Cherry swallowed, downcasting his eyes towards the green blades of grass at his feet “In case… he does not like me” Cherry’s cheeks flushed. He began to worry his lip to stop himself from speaking any more nonsense.

Snow wasn’t the best at cheering one up. But for Cherry to speak what his heart was feeling, he would try his best. “Cherry, you’re the most prestigious angel in the entire Realm. You’re loved by many, including the Official’s themselves. You’re caring, and can be funny when you want to be” Snow gave a small chuckle “And you’re… really erm, attractive and stuff. So Kojiro would be crazy to not like you”

He watched as Cherry turned his head away, looking amongst the array of greenery in the distance. Snow could see his ears glowing the same colour as his cheeks. “I…thank you Snow. You really are a kind boy” he said quietly.

Snow did not push anymore. So instead, he told Cherry something true in his heart too “I can’t wait to meet him”

Cherry’s shoulders relaxed, and Snow could just see a twitch of his lips “Me too”

~

“Snow, really, you do not need to bring a checklist with you” Cherry scolded with a roll of his eyes.

“I don’t want to forget anything! I can’t believe there was so much to learn” Snow breathed out.

“Did you forget that I am coming too? I’m here for a reason you know”

Cherry and Snow stood amongst a sea of clouds, just below where Heaven’s Realm laid across the sky. Before them was a set of large pearl gates. 

Heaven Realm's Gate.

It was vast in size. Almost fifty times bigger than the two small angels standing before it. Beyond the gate was the earth below, where the humans lived and both Kojiro and Reki resided. Once they walked through the gate, they were to be transported to a place of their choosing on earth and of course in their human forms.

During their week-long briefing, Snow learned everything he needed to.

From the way in which Human’s survive, their eating habits, their skills, their clothes, their modern day technology.

Snow even learnt such a language called slang, and how human’s work to earn money, and not because it was their duty at birth. He learned how there was such a thing called rain (falling water from the sky, a type of weather which humans did not like) and you had to cook your meals rather than conjure up whatever you wish out of thin air. It was all entirely fascinating to Snow, and he could not wait to see it all with his own eyes.

Snow was given the name Langa Hasegawa while in Japan. Langa was currently a popular up and coming name on earth, so the Official’s thought it would be fitting. 

Cherry, however, was given a name that best suited his angel self. Kaoru Sakurayashiki. The Sakura of his surname meaning the Cherry Blossom flower in Japanese. It was very fitting.

Of course, while they were down on earth it was not too hard to contact Heaven’s Realm above. And Cherry was to give weekly reports on Snow’s progress. 

“I can’t believe this is it,” Snow said, gazing with wide eyes at the pearl gates before him. 

Snow would not speak of this to Cherry, but he was extremely nervous about walking through the white clouded mist and arriving in a completely different place on an island called Okinawa in Japan.

Luckily for Cherry, Snow’s human Reki had merely mentioned the island during one of his recent prayers, so it narrowed a lot down for the both of them. They had three months to search Okinawa, and it was a great coincidence that both humans resided there.

“Now, you remember the rules strictly underlined by the Heaven Officials. But most profoundly, do not gain yourself any unnecessary attention from the humans. Good luck Cherry, Snow, and I wish you a very happy visit” the Heaven Realm's guard said, making a small gesture with his fingers.

Once his fingers moved, the gates slowly began to open, with the clouds below being dragged along with it.

“Are you ready?” Cherry asked, his golden orbs shining bright and his teeth dazzling from his sunny smile.

“Let’s do this” Snow replied with a grin, sapphire eyes fixed determinedly ahead.

With wings open wide, both angels walked through the white mist into an unknown world they were soon to explore below.

Where Kojiro and Reki we’re waiting.